A484 Sandy Road Corridor

Transport Improvements

Introduction

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• A comprehensive, strategic traffic modelling exercise has been undertaken for Llanelli and the wider Coastal Belt to identify a programme of works to mitigate congestion, improve connectivity and to provide a safer more attractive environment for all.

• The A484 Sandy Road Corridor forms part of this programme and a series of improvement options have been identified and assessed in line with Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG).

• WelTAG (2017) sets a framework for appraising proposed changes to transport infrastructure, and sets out best practice for the development, appraisal and evaluation of proposed transport interventions.

Purpose of Engagement

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• As part of our ongoing WelTAG Appraisal for the A484 Sandy RoadCorridor we have examined in greater detail the short-listed measures todetermine a preferred solution(s).

• We are now reaching out to key stakeholders in the area and to thegeneral public, providing an opportunity for you to comment on ourappraisal findings, preferred options and works programme.

• Should appropriate interventions be confirmed following this consultation,further design and appraisal work will be undertaken before proceeding toimplementation.

A484 Sandy Road Study Area

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• Single Carriageway Road

with Footways along both

sides

• Key Strategic Transport

Corridor

• Access to key education

facilities, Millennium CP

and numerous commercial,

educational and residential

properties.

• Served by X11, 128 and

195 buses

• Corridor forms part of

AQMA

Transport Problems and Transport Planning Objectives

The following transport problems were identifiedas part of the WelTAG appraisal of the Sandy RoadCorridor:

• High traffic flows in both directions;

• Corridor subject to significant peak periodcongestion and delay;

• Lack of alternatives for travelling to and from thewest by All Modes;

• Significant constraints along all alternativevehicular routes and involves routing strategictraffic along roads deemed inappropriate; and

• Constrained nature of A484 Sandy Roadcorridor limits options for simple on-line routecapacity improvements.

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Following the identification of the transport problems,the following TPOs were established for developingimprovement options:

• Improve Journey Times and Safety for SandyRoad Traffic;

• Reduce Congestion within A484 Sandy RoadCorridor;

• Contribute towards traffic improvements /emission reductions within AQMA;

• Improve Network Resilience;

• Provide increased capacity to accommodatefuture development within the area (LDP 2) ; and

• Enhance Accessibility of surrounding Schools,Colleges and Businesses by Active TravelModes.

Improvement Options

• Improvement options were initially considered on an individual basis for the following junctions:

1. Sandy Roundabout2. A484 Sandy Road / Iscoed Road Traffic Signals3. A484 / Denham Avenue Mini Roundabout

• Individual options were subsequently combined to form packages and were appraised alongside more strategic interventions and complimentary demand management measures.

• Options were shortlisted based on their ability to solve identified problems, their fit with local, regional and national objectives, their impacts across all aspects of well-being and their deliverability.

• The following slides shows the Improvement Options that have been considered within the WelTAG Framework.

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A484 Sandy Road / Iscoed Road WelTAG Options

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A484 Sandy Roundabout WelTAG Options

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A484 / Denham Avenue WelTAG Options

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A484 Sandy Road Bypass WelTAG Options

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Appraisal Summary – A484 Sandy Road / Iscoed Road

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Option 1 /1a - Right Turn Restrictions to/from Iscoed Road (with and without a one-way system operating along Iscoed Road between Denham Avenue and Sandy Road)

× These options were discarded due to access constraints for larger commercial vehicles (without a one-way system in operation) and capacity issues at Iscoed Road and Sandy Roundabout (with a one-way system in operation).

Option 2 - Remove Signals – Priority Control

× This option was discarded due to road safety concerns and the A484 / Iscoed Road Junction being unable to accommodate larger commercial vehicles under priority control

Option 3 – Right Turn Lane Provision at the Iscoed Road Traffic Signals

✓ Option 3 is included as part of our current preferred scheme

Option 4 – New Access Road to Stradey Housing

× This option was not considered deliverable due to land use, watercourse and drainage constraints and the presence of a pylon. Furthermore, this option was not shown to adequately address existing capacity constraints along the corridor.

Appraisal Summary – A484 Sandy Roundabout

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Option 1 - Signalised Roundabout

Option 2 - Signalised Junction replacing Sandy Roundabout

Option 3 - Approach Arm Flare Length Extensions

✓ Options 1 and 2 were shown to provide significant improvements from a junction capacity perspective.However, the iterative approach that was adopted for scheme development showed that these optionswere overengineered solutions at this stage given the single carriageway constraints along eastern andwestern ends of the A484 within the study area. Consequently, Option 3 has been included as part ourcurrent preferred scheme.

Appraisal Summary – A484 / Denham Avenue

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Option 1 – Larger Roundabout

Option 2 – Traffic Signals

✓ Both options were shown to significantly improve the flow of traffic through the junction and weresubsequently retained for further consideration. As part of this process further option development workhas been undertaken and a decision on which option is taken forward will be largely dependent on theoutcome of this consultation process. We acknowledge the need to limit third party land take and tominimise disruption to existing parking arrangements whilst maintaining access and improvingopportunities for active travel at this location.

Appraisal Summary – A484 Bypass Options

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Option 1 – Southern Bypass

Option 2 – Northern Bypass

× These options have been discarded due to significant environmental, social and cost constraints.Furthermore, constructing a bypass of the Sandy Road Corridor would not align with current WelshGovernment Transport Policy. ‘Llwybr Newydd – a new Wales Transport Strategy’ sets out the WelshGovernments vision for an accessible, sustainable transport system; supported by the following five-yearpriorities:

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by planning ahead for better physical and digital connectivity, more local services, more home

and remote working and more active travel, so that fewer people need to use their cars on a daily basis.

2. Grow public transport use in Wales by providing services that everyone can use, wants to use, and does use, based on:

3. Safe, accessible, well-maintained and managed transport infrastructure that is also future-proofed to support public transport and

electrification especially walking and cycling.

4. Making sustainable transport choices more attractive and affordable to more people and businesses, whilst respecting the fact that

many people including those in rural areas or disabled people, may not have options, and

5. Supporting innovations that help more people and businesses adopt more sustainable transport choices.

Preferred Scheme

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A484 / Iscoed Road

A484 / Denham Avenue

New Roundabout

Sandy RoundaboutA484 / Denham Avenue

Travel Planning and Active Travel Measures for Llanelli (ongoing commitments)

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• Llanelli Active Travel Masterplan

• MCP Linkages

• Engagement with Schools and Colleges

• Safe Routes

https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/travel-roads-parking/access-to-walking-and-cycling-active-travel/

Additional Complementary / Demand Management Measures

Scheme Development and Next Steps

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Construction

Anticipated Winter 2021

General Public

Consultation May 2021

Landowners

Consultation May 2021

CCC Officers, Local Councillors and Local Members

Ongoing consultation throughout scheme developmentD

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